Z. Raptor

The Hunting #2

by Steve Cole

Thirteen-year-old Adam Adlar used to have a normal life. Then his father created the most advanced video-game technology ever-one that uses a person's thoughts to control game characters, so that the characters are actually part of you. And scientists stole this technology to create hyper-evolved dinosaurs with a human's ability to learn . . . and a beast's ability to kill. Now packs of raptors populate a deserted island where the only law is survival. For the death-row inmates who were forced to live there as part of an experiment, survival was not an option. Now it's up to Adam and his dad to make sure the brutality stops.

In his companion to Z. Rex , Steve Cole has once again written an absurdly commercial novel that will captivate imaginations, quicken pulses, and appeal to anyone who loves a good action film.

Genres: Adventure, Young Adult, Dinosaurs, Science Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2011

About the author

Also publishes as Stephen Cole.

Steve Cole is the slightly crazy, highly frantic, millions-selling, non-stop author of Astrosaurs, Cows In Action, Astrosaurs Academy, The Slime Squad, Z. Rex and many other books (including several original Doctor Who stories).

He used to edit magazines and books but prefers the job of a writer where you can wear pyjamas and eat chocolate all day.

Steve just can't stop writing - if he does, strange robots appear and jostle him vigorously until he starts again.

In his spare time he loves making music, reading old comics, thinking up ideas for new books and slumping in front of a warm TV.

Reviews

[Alex_E1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a mystery style book than a horror spooky mood book, it is very different from the first book but also had small details that were connected to the 1st book. In this book, one of the nicest dinosaur ever betrayed them at last. Sometimes I feels the main character's pain too because getting betrayed by one of your closest friend does make you feel depressed and painful. There's one time when I got betrayed by this friend who was friends with me for 4 years and when he ditched me I felt really sad and decided to ditch him, too. But in the book, the protagonist survived through a couple of dinosaur attacks and lived with the betrayed dinosaur.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover:

It completely fits. With the first book, Z. Rex; with the description of the raptors; with the viciousness and gore aplenty in the book. I bow down to the artist, Cliff Nielsen, and the designer, Christian Fuenfhausen. *worships*

The book:

The opening chase scene in Manhattan sets up the atmosphere to expect: one of continuous tension, one that may tire readers out. There's also quite a lot of fighting, wounding and blood going around. Our protagonists get so battered and bruised that it becomes almost too much of a stretch to believe they can still continue on, especially with Loner, the velociraptor who takes many beatings.

Re: setting: it felt like the whole island was composed of either jungle or rock. And island isn't a well-known place; it takes more to create an image of one in the reader's mind. And again, the Geneflow HQ is the battlefield for the climax,which is extremely reminiscient of the prequel.

Almost every character has a smidgen of history making each unique, including secrets that jar the story in an epic plot twist or two. The secrets also helps prevent another relationship between Adam and the featured dinosaur like the one already established with Zed (the Z. rex), a good thing since it avoids repetition. The science element in Z. Raptor shows up late, but develops itself well using the video-gaming concept already established.

[Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets the heart racing because of the action! Do you like genetic engineering or raptors? Then this is the book for you. An organization named Geneflow has been taking the descendants of certain dinosaurs and changing the evolution path of those creatures ancestors. It just so happens that the dinosaur that they chose was the raptor. These new raptors are bigger, faster, and stronger than anything on this Earth.

[bookcasewalls]

Sometimes you want to read subtle and complex adult books. Sometimes you want to read about hyper-evolved dinosaurs created by evil scientists. When it's the latter, this is a good bet.

[Sean M · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Z.Rex I was left a little underwhelmed. The premise was extremely interesting. Regenerating dinosaur fossils and turning them into superior killing machines via a VR tech was super cool. I wrote in my Z.Rex review that I was a fan of the Z.Rex and that was it. The human characters weren't doing it for me. Does the sequel fix those issues? Or does the main character (the Z.Raptor) still control center stage?

After defeating GeneFlow the first time, Adam and his father tried to enjoy a little time away from all the craziness of secret science labs, evil masterminds, and dinosaurs. Very short-lived experience, and it turns out. The FBI needs to bring them in, but the Adlar family is reluctant to join. By reluctant I mean they said NO! and the FBI went ahead and drugged them and forced them into their investigation into GeneFlow and Sam Josephs (only memorable character from first book).

Adam wakes up on an island. Pretty typical setting for a book based on dinosaurs, right? You've got the iconic Jurassic Park to thank for islands being so archetypal as a place for dinos to do their business. Anyway, Adam is bewildered, and shocked at his predicament. Before he has time to process fully what's happened, he's assaulted by a pair of...RAPTORS! Possibly the coolest dino (we can argue about it!)

These dinos of course are not your typical monster. Created by GeneFlow using death row inmates' minds. Yes, you read that correctly! GeneFlow uses the VR tech to transport the mind of the murderer into the raptor. Obviously the raptors are all genetically altered beyond that to be stronger, faster, and resistant to damage. It's an interesting melding of man and science to create a pretty cool creature.

The island is divided into 2 groups. The Vels (smaller, and more intelligent) and the Brutes (dumber, but a lot more stronger) and the two are sworn enemies and battle it out like a classic Halo match on Blood Gulch (hopefully someone knows what that means). I loved the idea of 2 warring raptor factions vying for control of the island.

The sequel also introduced a newer Adam. In the first book he seemed like a typically bumbling teen, albeit dealing with an extraordinary set of problems. I didn't find his character to engaging and it left some of the reading a bit tough to get through. He's come a long way since the first book and it's evidenced very clearly in this sequel. He's more experienced, and that shows. He's more willing to take risks because he's got a better understanding of what he's dealing with. I appreciated his growth between the 2 books.

A new character was introduced into the book as well, and I think it was a really neat addition. Harmony, or Harm, as she likes to call herself saves Adam's life early on and they begin to develop a relationship. Nothing serious, thankfully. More like, "OH MY GOD, WE HAVE TO SURVIVE!!" relationship. They rely on each other to overcome tough obstacles and at the same time they provide one another a warm comfort during such an insane ordeal that was natural throughout and made me happy whenever they interacted. Adam was definitely impressed by Harm, and I think she slowly warmed up to him as well.

Earlier I asked if the Z.Raptor would outshine the human characters. Besides Adam and Harm, there weren't any memorable characters so the Z.Raptor SHARED the stage. He wasn't intrusive throughout the book, and whenever he interacted with the humans it was a lot more subdued than the Z.Rex's menacing approach. The total difference between the Rex and Raptor was very nice because it put the evolution of GeneFlow's tech into the limelight and it gave you a look at what a different sort of dinosaur would act like.

I think the sequel did a fantastic job of adding plenty of new additions to the lore. I had a good time throughout the entire book and there weren't nearly as many chapter's that seemed like filler or were a bother to get through. If you read Z.Rex and were on the fence, I recommend giving Z.Raptor a shot because it turns down a positive path. If you read Z.Rex and enjoyed it, this will be a nice compliment to that. Happy reading, folks!

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series was super weird and leaves you with a lot of mixed feelings. This one is is awesome! It actually a really good setup between the two books. The first one is wild and fast, but this one is more controlled and focused.
These book are geared towards younger readers, so I really like that this book didn't shy away from explain things, like FBI, ICSU, genetics, and other topics that can be hard for younger reader to grasp. Instead they broke it down, explained, and moved forward with the story. I've read a few books like this, that try to be smokescreen information that don't want to explain, or ignore things that can create plot-holes. By giving explanations and details it gives the story more depths and opens the world a little wider to the reader.
This is a great book, lots of fun to read. Love the character Loner, he was done so well. Adam was awesome too. I like that he didn't suddenly change from the first book, that he was still a kid and still got scared. Though seeing him grow and show just how smart he was was amazing too. Overall, love this book, loved the characters, would strongly recommend reading.

[Rahul Narasimhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was only ok because it was just like the first book just with a raptor instead of a T.Rex. I felt like the book was to similar and I knew what was going to happen. The book a first time around was good because I had no idea that he was going to get sucked into a realistic video game and have to escape dinosaurs. I like a book so I had high hopes with this one, but it was just the same. I wouldn't recommend this book if you have read the first one, but if you haven't read it and when straight to this one the you will enjoy the book if you like dinosaurs and sci fi. I would recommend this book to ages 10-15.

[Linnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the first book in the serie but it didn't seem to mather so much.
Anyways, the book was really good and it was hard to stop reading. In the end there was a big plot twist, that I think made the book even better.
It's a good book for both girls and boys and I think that everyone should read it!

[Konrad Sneed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't find the sequel as entertaining as the first one yet somewhat enjoyable. Waiting to see if more would be made, but I'm guessing not. Was thinking this could've been more like "Jurassic Park" book series but who knows? If you liked "Z-Rex" you may enjoy this sequel.

[Anna Marten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more than a teen-focused Jurassic Park knockoff. If you thought genetic hybrid dinosaurs were terrifying, meet the Z.Raptor. Not only is it unusually intelligent... it talks.

[Dillon Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was good i liked the plot of the book. it was about a boy who travels to an island and fights genetically created dinosaurs.

[Bethnoir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just found the suspension of disbelief too difficult with this one, I didn't manage to finish it.

[Ablrt · Rating 5 out of 5]

e a sports its in the game

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great idea, your terrified of jurrassic park and you pick up a book that's basically like it

[Unordinary Gamer]

GG NINI BUT IN THE END , THE SUPERIOR READER WINS :) :) DONT GET MAD ITS JUST THE WAY LIFE GOES :))))))))

[Alex Clairmont · Rating 2 out of 5]

really cool when i was like 9 years old

[Sheila Soprovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jurassic Park meets gaming and VR. This is the second book in the series. And the bad people keep getting away. Not sure that it is a series I'd encourage my young person to read.

[Leonardo Barbaro · Rating 2 out of 5]

all tho this book has a disappointing ending, the book is well written.

[Jacob Kastor]

10/10: Today I read from page 22-42 today. In the pages that I read a boy named Adam was with his dad in a room. They were being interrogated by a few people. They were talking about a company called Geneflow. Geneflow has been bringing dinosaurs back to life. The dinosaurs are more advanced than the ordinary dinosaur. The company has been making the Z. Raptor. After the day was over the agents came to Adam and his dad's apartment. They started asking more questions. Quote - "Geneflow blew up there own base, trying to cover their tracks when they relocated to Edinburgh." I think this quote is important because it shows that Geneflow does not want people to know about them.

10/16: I read from page 42-96 today. Within the pages I read many things happened. Adam and his dad were talking to the agents when Adam's dad threw a lamp at a guard and told Adam to run. Adam was shot with a dart and woke up 4 days later on a boat. They were traveling to the island with all of the raptors. Something attacked the boats and they sunk. Adam doesn't know if anybody else is still alive. Two raptors started to chase Adam and he ran for the water. He say a RIB and swam for it. (Rib is a life boat) He met a girl named Harm and they go to her bunker with two other people. Some raptors attacked them, but a smart raptor named Loner saved Adam.Quote - Like an Echo in my head. I can relate tot his because sometimes I talk to myself

10/24: I read pages 96-116. Summary of what I read - Loner is a friendly dinosaur that helps them. Adam and his new group of friends ride Loner up to the hills to get food and water. They ended up looking at the camp and almost getting eaten by some Brutes. They also find Agent Chen's binoculars. They bring back the food and the one guy named David just wants to see the binoculars. Quote -"Queen?" There is a queen of the dinosaurs. She his huge and gets to take a big bite out of the pile of bodies first at the feast. Quote - "Loner is like Zed." Sometimes I think that people are like other people.

10/31: I read from page 116-136. Summary - The group ate some coconuts and drank some coconut juice. They heard some Brutes in the woods so they go to a pile of bones.The bones are human bones though. They are with loner, but then he leaves them. Some brutes see them and are about to eat them. loner comes out of the woods and jumps into a Brute's side. They fight for a while and then Agent Chen and few other people come out of the brush and have weapons. The fight goes on and then Loner gets them to stop. Loner disappears afterwards. After that they talk for a while. Quote - "It was so much cash." Sometimes I just want money.

11/14: I read from page 136-156. Summary - The group is hiding and put on some anti stink spray. Loner comes back and is covered in scars and bruises. Loner tells the group that the Vels and Brutes are thinking about going to war. The Brutes want the anti stink spray so that they can sneak attack. The group and Loner go over a plan to get into the Geneflow base. Before they do that they have to help the Brutes. Quote - "You are not in charge." Sometimes people say I'm not in charge and I just have to deal with it.

11/21: I read from page 156-184. Summary - The group gets their whole plan together. After that they put their plan into action. Adam and Harm go to shut off the power, but first, follow the cable and see what it leads to. They get to the place and some Vels come out. They go back in, so Adam and Harm go and shut off the power. It just turned into chaos. The fight is on, Adam and Harm are being chased, Brutes and Vels get killed, and Adam and Harm have to run from the Brute Queen. Loner comes out of the forest and attacks the queen. Two guards in special suits shoot both, the queen and Loner with an electric gun. Afterwards Loner gets up and wounds one of the guards. Loner kills the queen and now they are going to go to the Geneflow base. Quote - "I'll ask you one more time." I connect with this quote becasue I have to be asked multiple times to do things.

12/4: I read form page 184-202. Summary - The gorup finally finds the Geneflow base. When they walk up to it it has been broken into. The Brutes have already ran through parts of the base.The group starts to go in when Brutes come out of the woods. Loner throws the cable that was in the queen and the Brutes try to get it. The group finds an armory room, but it blows up because of a booby trap. Loner, Adam, and Harm run leaving the rest of the group behind. They get farther into the base and the doors open. It was Mr. Chen. They advance farther in fighting off Brutes. They get past the final door and find fresh food. Quote - "She tore open the bag and shoved a handful into her mouth." I can relate to this becasue I shove food into my mouth when I'm hungry.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read book 1 back in February and enjoyed it, I then got given book 3 for my Birthday (Thank you!!!) so I had to get a copy of book 2 to read before I could read it, as I have to read books in order.
I started this book this morning and finished it in approximately 2 and a bit hours, I couldn't put it down (I even took it out with me and read it whilst standing in the queue at the supermarket!).
It's been about 3 months since the events in Z.Rex, Adam is just getting used to live back in the real world, still trying to get over the events at Gene Flow labs with Z.Rex. But on his way to a dinner meeting with his dad Adam has a feeling that things still aren't right. Paranoid or observant? He runs for it. Kidnapped by an FBI agent Adam finds himself once more seperated from his dad but this time he ends up on an Island covered with genetically enhanced dinosuars and no way of getting off. There he meets some fellow survivors and an outcast Raptor known as 'Loner', together they have to try to get home and stop the evil scientists once more.
I have to say I was instantly hooked with this one and I enjoyed it more than the first one. It sort of felt like a futuristic Jurassic Park (which is one of my favourite films) but much scarier - these dinosaurs can think and plan and even use weapons.
Adam is still the feisty hero, he takes a little bit more of a back seat, letting others lead him, but all along you know he will come out with something great and you can't help but like him. He shows his moments of insecurities, but doesn't let them hold him back.
You also meet Harmony or 'Harm' as she likes to be known, she is one of the human survivors on the island. She's been there for about 3 months and has had to learn how to survive, she is only a little bit older than Adam but takes control easily, she's a real rough and ready heroin, doing what she has to do to live, I really liked her and she had a slight sarcastic humour to her.
Other survivors include Lisa and David, David is the real action hero type, always wanting to do something, lead the group and take charge.
Then you have Loner, the outcast Dino who is helping the humans. His speech is clear and his thoughts intelligent. He helps the group throughout and has some mean fights with the other dinosaurs. He's like the next genereation of Z.Rex, smaller, faster, more intelligent and more logical. I didn't think he was quite as friendly though, but I certainly didn't expect the ending!
There are 2 breeds of Dinosaurs on the island, 'Vels' and 'Brutes'. 'Vels' are short for Velociraptor (Loner is one of these) and 'Brutes' are 'Utahraptors' bigger than Vels, but smaller than T-Rex's. These are more aggressive than the Vels but not quite as intelligent.
The book is written in a way that I could picture everything, very often an 'island' is one of the harder places to create imagery as it can consist of anything really and each person will have a different idea in their head, but I could clearly picture everything happening, from the rocky mountains to the beach and shore line. Even the underground caves. I love books I can escape into.
The plot is fast moving and will keep you hooked, a good mix of action, adventure and character development.
I am definitely looking forward to book 3 now.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to Z. Rex, but reads fine as a stand alone. This is Jurassic Park for the new age and perfect for middle and high school students looking for a bit of sci-fi and lots of action. The story picks up with 13-year-old Adam Alder and his scientist father staying in a hotel in New York not very long after the Z. Rex debacle nearly killed them both. Adam is still scared and shaking from their last adventure when he discovers that he is being stalked through the streets of New York. Have the bad guys returned? When Adam is caught he learns both he and his father are once again in danger, but this time because of a rogue FBI agent who kidnapps them and takes them Raptor Island where Geneflow, the "evil scientists" from the last novel, are once again experimenting with creating prehistoric creatures to use as killing machines. Adam and his father are separated during the boat trip to the island and only Adam makes it ashore in once piece as far as he can tell. Once on the island, Adam meets a small group of survivors who are being assisted by an intelligent Z. Raptor called Loner. Working as a team, they attempt to break into the scientists' bunker and destroy Geneflow's project while providing proof of what has happened. There is a lot of action, bloody fights to the death, and intrigue. The ending is a nailer biter. Highly recommended for boys in particular who enjoy good adventure, but there is a strong female character as well for our young ladies. A great read for grades 6 and up if they've read and enjoyed the Hunger Games or other high action adventure.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story:
While trying to enjoy Christmas with his dad in New York Adam Adlar finds himself abducted by the FBI. He and his dad learn that the company Geneflow has people trapped on an island off of Hawaii where there are super-evolved raptors. On their way to rescue the people one of the ships is attacked and sunk, and Adam finds himself stranded on Raptor Island. With a group of survivors Adam learns there's not one, but two super-evolved raptor species on the island that are battling each other for domination, and for the right to eat the people. With the help of the outcast raptor Loner, Adam and the survivors launch a plan to break into Geneflow's base and stop this diabolical plan of theirs.
I enjoyed these books because the dinosaurs are not your average stereotype. I enjoy reading how these species are evolved into deadly creatures. Perfect blend of science fiction and horror. Steve Cole has plenty of unexpected twists in the story, and you will be on the edge of your seat long before you get to the end.
Caution:
Raptors fight each other and blood is mention. Some violence between survivors and raptors might be a little intense for some. Some mild swearing.
Lessons:
If we let ambition blind us we may become monsters ourselves. Be careful when it comes to trusting others.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the sequel to Z.Rex the non-stop action continues as Adam and his father are kidnapped and separated by events that leave the thirteen year old stranded on an island that's inhabited with intelligent dinosaurs with an attitude, and a killing instinct. Aided by Loner, a renegade raptor Adam and the other survivors on the island have to find a way to stop the dinosaurs' abnormal evolution, as well as destroy the organization that created them.
I enjoyed this action-packed thriller that brings to life Jurassic Park, only with a twist this time. The moral deficiencies in the two warring factions- Vels and Brutes- seems human; their insatiable need to dominate, their survival and killer instincts. However,I found the characters Harm, Adam and Chen, one- dimensional in comparison to dinosaurs like Loner with his split personality; at one point helpful and kind, the next merciless, manipulative and conniving. For a twelve to fourteen year old reader this wouldn't be important because they'll love the action and non-stop suspense as the story culminates in a fiery ending that leaves them wondering, what happens next.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the story opens, it has been several months since thirteen-year-old Adam Adlar and his father escaped from Geneflow with the assistance of Zed, the intelligent T. Rex. Now trying to get back to a normal life, Adam is visiting his father in New York. However, Geneflow is still in business. When a video surfaces showing an island with a colony of intelligent raptors that could only have been created by Geneflow, Adam and his father, along with an FBI agent and his friends, must stop this newest experiment. Plenty of excitment and not a little blood but with some romance thrown in, as well. It's up to Adam and his dad to make sure Geneflow is finally stopped.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a somewhat confused young persons' story that I listened to concerning evil scientists and castaways and genetically engineered dinosaurs and virtual reality gaming and...and... It was certainly fast-paced and interesting in spots but didn't hold together terribly well. The reading was quite well done but struck me as miscast; the voice was very British and quite mature and would have been perfect for a Sherlock Holmes or Doctor Who presentation, whereas I felt this story would have been better represented by a young American lady's voice.

[Imran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was O.K, after reading Z. raptor, I had to read the sequel. The book can be read as a standalone, though there a a few Z. Rex references in the book, in the beginning-middle, it takes some time to actually understand what's going on. Close the end there is a HUGE plot twist. It's great, but I seemed to like Z. Rex better.

In this book Adam, is still in trouble with Genotype, he gets wrecked on an island, with a bunch on man-eating raptors.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment in The Hunting series. Adam thought it was all over. He thought he and his father were safe. Now he has been kidnapped again and finds himself on a small Pacific island loaded with Z raptors created by Geneflow. He must stop Geneflow and find a way to save himself and the other captives on the island. Boys will love this tale of courage and violence.

[Tada]

I recommend this book to people who like survival. The idea of genetically made creatures hunting people puts a great start into reading the book. This book is great because of the variety of topics ranging from action and death to love and romance. This book also teaches us life lessons that can effect our every day lives.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably more like a 3.5 rating. I don't know, for some reason this book was a lot creepier than the first one. It was really good up until the last few chapters (when the creepiness started to sneak in). I still liked it.

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is way better than Z. Rex and way more violent. I loved the ending and the plot but I thought that it was a little too violent and disturbing at the ending. It is one of my favorite books though.